When Faith's family packs their covered wagon for the long journey to California, there is no room for Faith's pet hen, Josefina. She is too old to lay eggs and too tough to eat; but Faith's father relents and allows her to bring her pet along, provided that she keeps Josefina out of trouble. As the wagon train begins the journey, Faith begins her patches for a quilt that will tell the story of their travels. In spite of Faith's promise to keep her chicken out of trouble, Josefina nearly causes a stampede, and falls in a river during a crossing. Just as Faith's father is ready to get rid of her, she begins to lay eggs again and is allowed to stay. As food and water become scarce, the Indians offer to trade meat and water for the family's quilts and Josefina. Faith and her mother refuse, and Josefina soon proves her worth when her loud cackling warns the family of two robbers creeping into camp. But, the difficult journey is too much for Josefina, and Faith must bravely say goodbye to her pet, using her travel quilt to tell the story of their trip and to always remember her pet, Josefina. Setting: Western U.S., 1850 Guide: 26 pages; 7 sections